Job Discussion Forums

Tram66 · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 7

I've looked around on this forum, couldn't find anything recent on Switzerland, so apologies if I'm repeating something.

I'm looking to work in Western Europe, but I'm a US citizen, so that rules out a lot of places. Does anyone have any information on teaching in Switzerland? I know getting a job must be done from abroad, but has anyone actually taught there than can tell me anything about it?

Thanks

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Unless you have significant specialist qualifications, local language skills, and connections.....Switzerland's a near-impossible dream.

Really - I'm a US citizen with 12+ years of teaching, MA TESL/TEFL from a British university, work permits for Europe - and I have kept an eye on the market in Switzerland for a long time, being a mountain lover. I haven't found anything yet - and I guess I may be ahead of you in line (but correct me if I'm wrong and you're actually wildly qualified, of course!).

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

A more realistic plan would be to win the lottery and then retire to Switzerland.

Tram66 · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 7

Haha, thanks for the help.

Dedicated · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 972 Location: UK

I previously lived for 2 years in Switzerland and was inundated with work.

There are opportunities for jobs at international schools, some American, some British, which are virtually all private or even exclusive " finishing schools". I had 5 princesses in one class alone. However, you will need the appropriate PGCE or American teaching licence, and experience in your home country of teaching the IB, including PYP/MYP or Diploma and GCSE /GCE. They rarely advertise as people contact them.

There are universities which hire EAP specialists (MA + 5 years experience minimum), so if you are a fluent French speaker, you could try the Universities of Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchatel. If you are a fluent German speaker, you could try the unis at Basel, Bern, Zurich and Hochschule St Gallen. If you are bilingual, try the University of Fribourg.

If you have business and/or hotel-cooking experience, a new area that is booming, is the American Graduate School of Business, or the DCT Hotel and Business Management School, or Les Roches Hotel Management school. I have a Cordon Bleu Diploma, and freelanced at the latter at �75 an hour.

It can be done, but difficult from outside Switzerland - they like to see you in person. Good luck!

Tram66 · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 7

Thanks for the help!

Solar Strength · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 557 Location: Bangkok, Thailand

a friend from America is teaching in one of those "finishing schools". He's been there nearly 10 years and seems to really like it. He's a licensed teacher from back home but teaches English.

home777 · Joined: 29 Nov 2010 Posts: 1

I am an EU citizen and want to teach English in Switzerland. Does anyone have any experience in Basel? Any experience with the Cambridge Institute?